ElkHunter
Life Member
Iowa Bowhunters Association
Legislative Update
Final 2023 Update
Legislative Update
Final 2023 Update
First off, we would like to thank everyone for the hundreds of phone calls, emails, and personal contacts. Without your help what was accomplished this session would not have been possible. The first three weeks of session our thoughts were we are on a sinking ship. THANK YOU
A special shout out to our Lobbyist, Eric Goranson for his direction and guidance, a second shout out goes to Dexter Yaddof for his tireless work getting Voter Voice, our new software for legislative updates and Call to Action up and running. THANK YOU Eric and Dexter.
SF516
Thanks to the efforts of the IBA and other outdoors and conservation groups, a bill to make the acquisition of land for public use difficult (if not impossible) was prevented from becoming law. The bill, Senate File 516, is an effort by agricultural interests to drastically change state policy on open spaces, land acquisition and trails, by prioritizing “maintenance” above acquisition. (continued on page 2) 1 (continued from page 2) Along with the proposed “lands” hierarchy, the bill failed to define “maintenance” nor did it specify what proper land management encompasses. You may recall that following passage of SF 516 by the Senate, the bill was initially assigned to the House Environmental Protection Committee. Following a subsequent subcommittee meeting the proposal was pulled from that committee by House leaders and reassigned to the House State Government Committee. Following another subcommittee, the State Government Committee did not advance the bill to the full House. Again, great thanks to all the IBA members who contacted members of the House of Representatives to let them know of your opposition to this dangerous proposal. As this drastic policy change is coveted by some, we do expect to have lawmakers attempt to revisit Senate File 516 during the 2024 Iowa Legislative Session.
Bills of Interest
This list includes most of the bills introduced this legislative session that were of interest to our IBA membership. Some do not affect us directly as bowhunters, but are natural resource concerns. These pieces of legislation did not pass this year, but are eligible for further consideration during the upcoming 2024 Iowa Legislative Session.
SF 553 (formerly SF 363 and SF 277) - Nonresident Family Members Deer Tags - This bill creates a special deer hunting license available to certain nonresident family members. The bill allows a nonresident who is a family member of a resident to purchase a nonresident family member deer hunting license for a fee that is one-half the fee of a nonresident deer hunting license established by the Natural Resource Commission by rule. A nonresident may only use a nonresident family member hunting license while hunting with a resident who is a family member of the nonresident Approved by Natural Resources. Referred to Ways and Means. On the Senate debate calendar.
SF 548 (formerly SSB 1129) - Forest Reserve Program Changes - The bill provides that for the assessment year beginning January 1, 2024, the amount of the exemption for each qualifying reservation shall be that portion of the actual value of the reservation that exceeds an amount equal to the product of the number of acres of the reservation multiplied by 25 percent of the county valuation per acre of agricultural property determined pursuant to Code section 441.21(1)(e) for the same assessment year. For the assessment year beginning January 1, 2025, and each succeeding assessment year, the amount of the exemption for each qualifying reservation shall be that portion of the actual value of the reservation that exceeds an amount equal to the product of the number of acres of the reservation multiplied by 50 percent of the county valuation per acre of agricultural property determined pursuant to Code section 441.21(1)(e) for the same assessment year. On Senate debate calendar
SF 531 (formerly SSB 1184) - Deer Tags For Crop Loss - This bill establishes crop loss deer hunting permits and seasons. The bill allows an owner or tenant of a farm unit, or a family member of the owner or tenant, to apply to receive crop loss deer hunting permits and tags for use on the owner’s farm unit. An application shall be accompanied with proof of substantial yield loss due to deer. Upon application, the Department of Natural Resources shall issue a crop loss deer hunting permit and tags for use on the farm unit. Six crop loss deer hunting tags are available for use during an early split crop loss deer hunting season, which shall encompass the months of September and October, and six crop loss deer hunting tags are available for use during a late split crop loss deer hunting season, which shall encompass the months of November and December. Tags that remain unfilled at the conclusion of the early split season may be used in the late split season. On Senate debate calendar
SF 255 - Nonresident Deer Tags for Outfitters - The bill requires the Natural Resources Committee to reserve 500 of the nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses for nonresidents who have made a reservation with an outfitter, as defined in the bill, that is currently registered as a business entity with the secretary of state and has maintained registration since prior to July 1, 2022. Referred to Natural Resources
SF 209 (formerly SF 109) - Youth Deer Licenses - The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to make youth deer hunting licenses available for purchase during the same period of time that general deer hunting licenses are available for purchase, including through all established deer hunting seasons. On Senate debate calendar
SF 208 (formerly SF 175) - Second Chance Bow Tags - This bill allows a person who was unsuccessful in taking a deer during a bow season while using a bow season deer hunting license, to use the license and unfilled tag during the late muzzleloader season or the January antlerless deer hunting season that follows the bow season for which the license and tag were valid. A person hunting pursuant to the bill is authorized to hunt using a crossbow during the January antlerless deer hunting season. On Senate debate calendar
SF 145 - Rifles For Turkey Hunting - This bill requires the Natural Resource Commission to establish a rifle season for hunting turkey. The method of take for the rifle season shall be a caliber .17 hornady magnum rimfire rifle. Not approved by subcommittee
SF 138 - Airbows - This bill provides that an airbow is a legal method of take during any deer hunting season in which any firearm is a legal method of take. Approved by subcommittee with an amendment
SF 42 - Nonresident Deer License Increase - The bill increases the number of nonresident any sex deer tags from the current 6,000 to 7,500. The bill requires NRC to use a random draw process that is weighted to favor applicants with the most preference points to assign nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses until all available nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses have been issued. The bill also provides that when a nonresident uses the antlerless deer only deer hunting license and tag that the nonresident is required to purchase with an antlered or any sex deer hunting license to take an antlerless deer in a zone that is above the population goal determined by NRC, then NRC will assign one preference point to the nonresident. Approved by subcommittee
SJR 12 (formerly SJR 8) - Constitutional Right To Hunt, Trap and Fish - This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing that the people of this state have the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to reasonable laws enacted by the general assembly and reasonable rules adopted by the natural resource commission. On Senate debate calendar
HF 503 - Coyote Bounty - This bill authorizes counties to establish coyote bounty programs. The bill requires a county that establishes a coyote bounty program to offer a $10 bounty for a coyote lawfully taken within the county. 7 Referred to Natural Resources
HF 375 - Hunting Near Schools - The bill prohibits a person from using a bow within 75 yards of the premises of a school to take or attempt to take a game or fur-bearing animal. Additionally, the bill prohibits a person from using a firearm or other hunting device, other than a bow, within one-half mile of the premises of a school to take or attempt to take a game or fur-bearing animal. Referred to Natural Resources
HF 322 - Deer Tag Transfers - Under current law, upon application, the Department of Natural Resources issues annually without a fee, two deer hunting licenses, one antlered or any sex deer hunting license and one antlerless deer only deer hunting license, to the owner of a farm unit or a member of the owner’s family, but only a total of two licenses for both. The bill authorizes the recipient of the license to sell or otherwise transfer the license to another person for use on the property. Approved by subcommittee
HF 246 - Youth Deer Licenses - The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to make youth deer hunting licenses available for purchase during the same period of time that general deer hunting licenses are available for purchase, including through all established deer hunting seasons. Not approved by subcommittee
HF 32 - Outdoor Education - The bill requires the director of the Department of Natural Resources to establish and administer a No Child Left Inside program to provide grants for outdoor environmental, ecological, and other natural resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth. Referred to Natural Resources
HJR 6 (formerly HJR 2) - Constitutional Right To Hunt, Trap and Fish - This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing that the people of this state have the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to reasonable laws enacted by the general assembly and reasonable rules adopted by the natural resource commission. On House debate calendar
These bills passed House and Senate and either have been signed by Governor or waiting for her to sign
SF 528 (formerly SF 383) - Physical Therapists To Sign For Crossbows - The bill allows a person’s physical therapist to sign an application declaration allowing a person with disabilities to use a crossbow. Approved by the Senate 48-0. Approved by the House 93-0. Has not been signed by Governor
HF 317 (formerly HF 118) - Nuisance Animal Killing - Under the bill, an owner or tenant of agricultural property or an associated residence, may take, capture, shoot, or temporarily possess, for the purpose of destroying or disposing of, a raccoon, opossum, or skunk without receiving prior permission if the owner or tenant deems the animal to be a nuisance. The bill also specifies that the taking of the animal can only take place outside of the corporate limits of a city; allows for only the use of cage traps or dog-proof traps; and adds the legal standard of “good faith” that would be required for anyone who wishes to take a nuisance animal. Amended and approved by the House 87-11. Approved by the Senate 48-2. Signed into law the Governor 4/28/23.
